57 Best Thumbprint Cookies to Bake for Your Holiday Cookie Exchange

The sweetest way to spread holiday cheer this year? By baking up a few batches of these easy thumbprint cookies. Out of all the Christmas cookie recipes out there, thumbprints are definitely the ones that bring us the most nostalgia. Once you begin whipping up these holiday treats with your family, you'll instantly be taken back to your own childhood. Although there are several recipes for the traditional take that feature a sugar cookie base with a raspberry filling, there are tons of other inventive options you'll want to try immediately. If you're a chocoholic, you're in luck, because there are many chocolate-filled treats on this list. The chocolate mint thumbprint cookies, chocolate espresso thumbprint cookies, and chocolate hazelnut thumbprints with Kahlua ganache are especially divine. There are also lots of recipes on this list featuring the most beloved flavors of the season, including the gingerbread thumbprint cookies, candy cane Kiss cookies, and eggnog thumbprint cookies. If you're baking up a batch with the kids, they'll especially love the Twix thumbprint cookies, mini chocolate chip thumbprint cookies, and brownie chocolate chip cookie thumbprint cookies. Once you serve these treats at your Christmas party or Christmas dinner, your friends and family will be insisting you make them every year.

Number 2 Pencil

Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

Talk about a showstopper of a recipe. Kids will enjoy decorating these confections with festive sprinkles and icing.

Linzer tarts are a festive addition to any holiday table, but they take time—so skip the effort and go with these little cookies, which require no rolling and a quick push of your thumb to create the center.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.